As we emerge from the whirlwind of holiday festivities, we find ourselves diving headfirst into the chaos of a new year. The countdowns, celebrations, and resolutions are all around us. Yet amidst the excitement, I often feel overwhelmed by the pressure to improve every aspect of my life.
However, I’ve come to realize that New Year’s resolutions often lead to an endless cycle of guilt when I inevitably fall short. Parenting alone is rife with guilt, and I don’t need any extra reasons to feel down about myself. So, this year, I’m flipping the concept of resolutions on its head. Instead of adding more to my plate, I’m creating a list of things I refuse to care about in the upcoming year. After all, if we don’t carefully manage where we invest our energy, we’ll soon find ourselves depleted.
Here are 25 things I won’t give a single thought to this year:
- My kids running around in shorts without coats in the middle of winter.
- The judgmental glances from strangers concerned that my children will catch a cold.
- My son’s three-day diet of only cereal and apples.
- Current fashion trends; I’m embracing the comfort of sweatpants.
- What and how other parents feed their kids. You want to breastfeed in public? Go for it. Prefer formula? That’s cool, too. I’ve never been one to judge.
- Social media drama. I’m committing to utilizing the “unfollow” button more often.
- Celebrity baby news. Honestly, I couldn’t care less whether someone ate their placenta or bounced back to their old self within days of giving birth.
- My kids binge-watching TV shows. Sometimes, a good marathon is just what we need.
- The gifts other kids received for the holidays.
- What my child didn’t unwrap this year.
- Difficult kids; it’s part of growing up.
- Difficult parents; we all have our off days.
- Made-up holidays. Glitter trails on St. Patrick’s Day? Not happening.
- Losing my cool occasionally. I’m not a perfect parent, and that’s okay.
- My son wearing the same superhero shirt multiple days in a row.
- Cursing in front of my kids; sometimes it’s just cathartic.
- My older child teaching my younger one to spell “bad” words. It’s just spelling.
- The wrinkles on my forehead that my kids love to point out.
- Drinking copious amounts of coffee; some days are just about getting by.
- My children seeing me cry. Parents have feelings, too.
- Crafting a flawless childhood for my kids. The beauty lies in its imperfections.
- Politely declining PTA invitations. No, thank you.
- Saying “no” to social outings in favor of cozy nights in with classic shows.
- Pushing my kids to excel in everything. I’d rather nurture their kindness and empathy.
- The unrealistic pressure to be the ideal parent, friend, or employee. I’m embracing authenticity and reminding myself to just be the best version of me possible.
This year, I’m embracing the wisdom I impart to my kids: be genuine and strive to be the best version of yourself. That’s what truly deserves my attention.
For further insights on home insemination, you can check out our post about the artificial insemination kit. If you’re navigating the journey to conception, Finding Hope: A Journey to Conception is an excellent resource. Additionally, if you have questions about infertility, this support group offers valuable information.
Summary
This year, I’m prioritizing what matters and letting go of concerns that drain my energy. From my children’s winter outfits to social media drama, I’m focusing on being my authentic self and fostering kindness in my family.